Method of and machine for making gauges and other articles



HAWJWZ Aprriil 22., 192420 W. E. HOKE METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING GAUGES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed July 8 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 OQQQOOQQ QOQQQOQQ OOQOOQOQ Q OQQQQ 7 A ma Leg.

HAQLWZ April? 22 11924.,

W. E. HOKE METHOD OF AND MAGHINEFOR MAKING GAUGES AND OTHER ARTICLES 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8 m E. MW

W. E. HOKE METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING GAUGES AND OTHER ARTICLES April 22 1924 HAEIMWZ Fi ed y 8, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 a b c d a Z a d a b c d Qvwewlioz WM E. [W

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Fat-enticed a ea, lean nnrrn arnnr WILLIAM E. EOKE,'@F ST. IJGUXS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNQB, "I36 PRATT a WHITNEY 00M- Penn, @1 NEW YQBK, N. ii, A CQRPORATIUH OF NEW JERSEY.

METHGD OF AND MACHINE F03. MAKING GAUGES 5ND GTHEB ARTICLES.

" Application flied any a, rare. seen no. scares.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, WILLIAM E. Hons, a citizen or the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Machines for Making Gauges and Other Articles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a method of lapping gauge blocks or similar articles to produce identical sizes, and particularly to produce plane parallel opposite surfaces separated from each other by an assigned dimension; with a high degree ofaccuracy. The method is in some respects similar to the methods set forth in my copending applications for method of making identical articles, Serial No. 252,073 filed August th, 1918, for method of and machine for making gauges and other articles, Serial No 289,- 591 filed April 12th, 1919, and for method of and machine for making 1gauges and other articles, Serial No. 309,448, led on even date herewith. The invention further relates to a machine whereby the method may be pracf preferably in two equal definite groups. For

. ticed.

In the accompanying drawings l have illustrated in diagrammatic form two'difierent machines each embodying the v mechanical features of the ingention and each adapted for practicing the method. l have also prep sented further di method will be explalned in detail. It will rams by which the be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not tobe construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a lan View of another machine. Fig. l is a 'ragmentary view of a difierent form of plate that may be used for moving the blocks. Figs. 5 to 9 are diagrammatic views further illustrating the method.

The blocks to be lapped are first termed with the desired shape and with a little more than the desired length, by any usual or preferred means. When they are to be used as gauges the blocks are hardened and otherwise suitably treated, but these preliminary steps constitute no part of the present invention. After the blocks have been thus formed and treated, they are then subjected to a lapping operation or a series or lapping operations and are otherwise acted upon, in the mannerto be described. 1

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the machine includes two laps 1 and 2 of similar size and preferably circular in form, havingtheir adjacent faces 3 and t made as nearly plane as possible in accordancev with any method for producing plane surfaces. The adjacent surfaces of the holding the blocks of each group in proper relationship and for other purposes, as will be presently described, there is provided'a fiat plate or spider 5. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each plate 5 has a large rectangular opening 6 which is of such size and shape as to be adapted to receive and hold the blocks of one group. I y

Tn order to cause lapping, relative movement is efi'ected between the blocks and the la s, this movementpreferablv being efi'ecte by moving both the blocks and the laps. The laps are caused to contact with the blocks with a proper pressure, and-while I do not so'limit myselfas concerns all features of the invention, this pressure is preferably secured by arranging the parts horizontally, as shown. The lower lap is secured to a vertical shaft 7 rotatable in a bearing in a support 8. The upper lap is loosely keyed to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, but is movable vertically and can adjust itself with respect to the horizontal. The weight of the upper lap is utilized to of one grou and the'blocks. Thenpper lap is supported entirely on the blocks, and if greater pressure is desired additional weight can be applied to the upper lap. The upper lap is entirely sirable to reciprocate the blocks radially.

free as concerns vertical movement and it can. adjust itself as to parallelism with the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks.

In accordance with the present invention the blocks are reciprocated and the laps are turned about their common axis. on two equal groups of blocks are rovided as is preferred, they are so positioned with respect to the laps that the Weight of the upper lap is equally divided between the two groups of blocks, and the reciprocating. movements of the two groups of blocks are efi'ected in such definite relation to each other that this equal distribution or balancing of the weight of the upper lap is always maintained. As the result of this equal distribution of the weight, I secure the same amount of pressure and hence the same amount of lapping on all of the blocks and I make it impossible for some of the blocks to be reduced more rapidly than the bloc s of the other group, or for the blocks at one side of a single group to be redlced more rapidly than those at the other s1 e.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the, two plates 1 5, 5 are engaged by a suitable mechanism which serves to reciprocate them simultaneously in opposite directions. This mechanism may vary widely but for purposes oi illustration I haveshown two similar walk:

ing beams 9, 9 which are pivoted for movement about parallel axes at 10, 10. The walking beams are'pivotally connected at, their opposite ends to. links 11, 11 which are rigidly connected with the respective lates 5, 5. For oscillating the two walking ams there is provided a connecting rod 12 engaging a pin 13. on a rotating crank disc 1 1. It will be seen that :When the disc 14 is rotated, the two walking beams will be oscillated, thus causing the two plates 5, 5 tobe regularly reciprocated in opposite directions The walking beamsserve as parallel motion links, thus holding the rods 11, 11 and the plates 5, 5in parallelism as they reci rocate.

- Inasmuch as the two groups of bloc s move ,the weight of the upper lap therefore being inner walking oppositely, they are always symmetrically disposed with respect to the axis of the laps,

equally divided between them.

' In order thatthe entire surfaces of the laps may be used, the two la s are turned preferably in unison as the p ates 5, 5 are reciprocated. .Any desired mechanismmay be provided for efiecting the turning of. thelaps but for purposes of illustration I have shown a awl 15 connected with the am 9 and adapted to enmetres with respect to the laps and it may also be desirable to provide four groups of blocks instead of two groups as shown in Fig. 1. The machine shown in Fig. 3 comprises two laps which are similar in construction and mounting to the laps 1 and 2, shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Four plates 5, 5 and 5", 5" are provided, these being similar in construction to the plates 5, 5 already described. lhese plates are positioned for radial reciprocation alongperpendicular center lines. The plates of each opposite pair 5, 5 or 5*, 5 ers adapted to move inward in unison or outward inunison. Preferably while the plates of one pair are moving inward the plates ofthe other pair are moving outward and vice versa. Inasmuch as the reciprocating movements are opposite, it will be seen that the weight of the upper lap is equally divided between all four groups of blocks held by the four plates. Thus I secure equal pressures and equal lapping on all of the blocks as before described.

The mechanism for moving the plates in the way described may vary widely, but for purposes of illustration I have shown slotted links 17., 17 rigidly secured respectively to the plates 5 5. Stationary guides 18, 18 fit the slots in these links, thus guiding the links. and the plates for rectilinear move: ment. Similar links 19, 19 and guides 20, 20 are provided for the plates 5', 5". The links 17, 17 are provided with cross arms 21, 21 and links 19, 19 are rovided with cross arms 22, 22. Diagonal inks 23, 23 are pivotally connected to the ends of the several cross arms 21, 21 and 22, 22. It will be seen that the linkage described serves to cause the plates 5", 5 to move outward in unison and the plates 5, 5 to simultaneously move inward in unison. Subsequently the. linkage causes the plates 5, 5 to move outward in crank disc. 26. For turning the laps a pawl 27 is mounted on the linkage at a convenient place, as, for instance, near the middle of one of the links 23. This pawl engages the ratchet teeth 16 on the lower lap and thus serve to turn both of the laps .As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, each plate 5 or 5 or 5" is provided with a large opening 6 which substantially fits the group'of blocks B'-B to belapped. As shown, the

blocks are rectangular and-the group consists of intersecting rows' I do not," however,

limit myself as to the shape of the blocks or measures as to the exact arran ement. Under some circumstances it may e preferable to provide somewhat different plates as shown in' Fig. 4. This figure shows a plate having a number of small circular apertures 6, each adapted to receive a single block. As illustrated, each a erture 6 is'somewhat lar er than the block so as to permit the block to turn or roll somewhat as the plate moves and as the laps turn. T have shown blocks A-A which are circular, but it will be understood that T am not limited to circular blocks. I

In accordance with my method, either of the machines as shown is operated for a reasonable time, preferably until all of the I blocks have been lapped and until the laps engage all of them equally. Then the movement is stopped and one la ordinarily the upper lap, is removed, t us leaving the blocks exposed. Certain blocks are then transferred in such a way. as to distribute any errors or variations in the respective lengths. It may be assumed that with a group of blocks of slightly varyin lengths those at one part of the group will average longer than those at another part. Similarly. when two or more similar groups are provided, it may be assumed that those of one group will average longerthan those of another. Following this assumption it wil be seen that the transferring must be such hat the longer and shorter blocks will be commingled, preferably one or more of the longer blocks being positioned between two or more of the shorter blocks. lln order that the longer and shorter blocks may be uniformly distributed, the transferring is preferably efi'ected symmetrically.

The blocks of an one group may be transferred or moved a out in avariety of ways, as will be understood from Fi s. 5 to 7 which illustrate typical ways or transferring. Fig. 5 can be considered to represent the initial arran ement of the bloclrsof a group. The bloc s can'be positioned all in one large opening in the plate, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, or in indivi ual apertures,as shown in Fig. l. As illustrated in Fig. 5, there are four longitudinal rows of blocks designated a had, and eight transverse rows designated l.2,3d-.5 d78. As illustrated in Fig. 6, two of the longitudinal rows, as for instance a and 0, have been interchanged. As illustrated in Fig. 7,

alternate transverse rows, as for instance 2,

4c, 6 and 8, have been reversed end for end. It will be clear that the blocks me be transferred in other 'ways, articular y as set forth in my aforesaid app ication, Serial. No. 309,448, filed-July 8th, 1919. It will be seen that the transferring or transposing of the blocks in the ways described serves to equally distribute any errors or variations. in length. If the blocks at one s de are longer than those at the other side, or if the blocks at one end are longer than those at the other end, the several transpositions or changes will place the longer blocks between the shorter blocks in alternate relation-' ship.

Preferably when two groups of blocks are provided as'illustrated 1n Figs. 1 and 2 or four groups asillustrated in Fig. 3, transferring'or transposing is effected not only within each group but also between the groups. Fig. S oan be considered to represent the initial arrangement of the blocks of the four groups shown in Fig. 3. As illustrated, there are four. longitudinal rows of blocks in eachgroup designated a -b-cd,

lid

spectively. There are eight transverse rows of blocks in each group designated 1-2' 34 5678, 9-1.0.111213 14' l516, l71819202122'23'24c and 25--26272829-3031-32 respectivelv. tudinal rows of each group, as for instance a and i, a and k, e and m and g and 0. Also, alternate transverse rows of each group have been interchanged with those of an adjacent group, as for instance l and 16, 3 and 14:, 5 and 12, 7 and 10, 17 and 32, 19 and 30, 21 and 28, and 23 and 26. llt'will beclear that transposition can be edected in ways additional to those shown.

The blocks having been transferred as described, the top lap is restored to position and the lapping operation is repeated. Ob-v viously the laps will at first engage only the longer blooks, thus reducing their lengths.

. The lappin operation is continued preferably untilt e laps again engage all of the blocks. Obviously the blocks are more nearly uniform in length than before, but there may still be some variation. There- As illustrated in Fig. 9 two longioup' have been interchanged with those of the opposite.

fore transferring is again effected as before from time to time to avoid possible variations. The blocks may be measured in any desired way to ascertain when the redetermined lengths have been reached. so may orin length, itmay be preferable to continue the transferring of the. blocks lid lie

be made of the method set forth in my afore- J said application 289,591, but this method constitutes no part of my. resent invention 1 and need not be here descri ed.

What I claim is: 1. The method of reducing a number of similar-blocks to produce parallel'flat end faces and identical lengths,'wh1ch consists wit the lengths of the blocks, reciprocatingthe group of blocks with respect to the laps, and turning the laps with respect to the blocks.

2. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in a plurality of equal definite groups between two opposed horizontal fiat laps, permitting the upper lap to adjust itself with respect to the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks reciprocating the groups of blocks with respect to the laps so that the weight of the upper lap-on the said groups of blocks is always equally divided among them, and turning the laps with respect to the blocks.

' 3. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel fiat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in two equal definite groups between two opposed horizontal flat laps, permitting the upper lap to adjust itself with respect to thelower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks,

ppositely reciprocating the two groups of ocks with respect to the laps along a common center line so that the weight of the upper lap on the two groups of blocks is always equally divided between them, andturning the laps about an axis intersecting the. said center line midway between the groups of blocks. 1

4. The method of reducing a'number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in four equal definite groups between two opposed-horizontal flat laps, permitting the upper lap to adjust itself with respect to the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks,

and oppositely reciprocating two of the groups of blocks with respect to the laps along a common center line and also oppositely reciprocating the other two of the groups of blocks along another common center line intersecting the first so that the weight of the upper lap is always equally divided among the four groups of blocks.

' 5. The method of "reducing a number of similar blocks to roduce parallel fiat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in four "equal definite groups between two opposed hori- IAQLWQ zontal flat laps, permitting the upper lap to' adjust itself with respect to the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, and oppositely reciprocating two of the groups of blocks with respect to the laps alonga common center line and also oppositely reciprocating the other two of the groups of blocks along another common center line intersecting the first, the groups of Y one pair moving outward while those of'the other pair move inward and vice versa so that the weight of the upper lap is always equally divided among the four groups of blocks.

6. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel fiat end vfaces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in four equal definite groups between two opposed hori-- laps about an axis at the intersection of the said center lines.

7. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists 1n arranging the several blocks in four equal definite groups between two opposed flat laps, permitting the laps to adjust themselves as to parallelism in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, moving the groups of blocks with respect to the laps in different directions to effect lapping, interchanging some of the blocks of each group with some of the blocks of the opposite group to distribute variations in length and repeating the lapping operation.

8. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in four equal definite groups between two opposed flat laps, permitting the laps to adjust themselves as to parallelism in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, moving the groups of blocks with respect to the laps in different directions to effect lapping, interchanging some of the blocks of each group with some of the blocks of one of the adjacent groups to distribute variations in length and repeating the lapping operation.

9. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in four equal definite groups between two opposed flat laps,

onroe v with respect to the laps in difi'erent direc' tions to eflect lapping, interchanging some of the blocks of each group with some of the hlocks of the opposite group to distribute variations in length, interchanging some of,

the hlocks of each group with some of the blocks of one of the adjacent groups to further distribute variations in length, and repeating the lapping operation aftereach interchan mg.

10. 'l e method. of reducing a number ofsimilar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging'the severalhlocks in four equal definite ups hetween two, 0 posed flat till - turning laps, permitting the laps to a justthemse ves as to parallelism in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, moving the two one of hlocks with respect to the laps in fierent directions to eliect lapping,

transferring some of the blocks within each oup to distrihute variations in length, interchanging some of the blocks of each group with some of the hlocks of another igrou to dturther distglibpte variations in engt ,an repeatin t e apping operation after each transferrln and interchanging.

11. A lapping machine including in comhination, two opposed laps having flat-work ing surfaces, one lap being-adapted to freely ad ust itself with respect to the other lap as concerns parallelism, a plate positioned hetween the laps and adapted to engage lolocks to he lapped, means for reciprocating the plate hetwee'n the laps, and means for the laps,

12, lapping machine includin incomhination, two opposed laps having i at workin surfaces, one lap being adapted to freely ad ust itself with respect to the other lap as concerns parallelism, two similar plates positioned hetween the laps and having openings therein for hlocks to he lapped,

means for reciprocating the two plates oppositely hetween the laps, and means for turning the'laps.

13. A lapping machine including in com hination, two opposed laps having hat worln in surfaces, one lap being adapted to freely ad ust itself with respect to the other lap as concerns parallelism, two similar plates positioned hetween the laps and hayin openings therein for blocks to he lappe, means for reciprocating the two plates he tween the laps toward and from each other, and means for turnin the laps ahout an axis midway hetween t e plates. t

14,-. A lapping machine includin incomhination, two opposed horizontal laps having flat working surfaces, the upper lap heing freely movable vertically and ada ted to adjust itself with respect to the at or,

line intersecting the first a plurality of similar plates positioned he-' tween the laps andhavlng openings therein for blacks tohe lapped, the said plates being symmetrically located with respect to the upper lap so that the weight of the lat-- ter on the blocks enga ed by the respective. plates will be equally ivided among them,

means for reciprocating-the plates so that they remain symmetrically dis osed with respect to the upper'lap, where y the weight of the said lap remains equally divided among the groups of hlocks as aforesaid, and means for turning the laps about a central axis 15. A lapping machine including in comhination, two opposed laps having flat workin surfaces, one lap being adapted to freely ad ust itself with respect to the other lap as concerns parallelism, four similar plates positioned hetween the laps and havin openings therein for blocks to he lappe, means for reciprocating two of the plates oppositely alonga commoncenter line, and means for reciprocating the other two plates oppositely along another common center 16. A lapping machine includin in comhination, two opposed laps having dat workin surfaces, one lap losing adapted to freely ad pust itself with respect to the other lap as concerns parallelism, four similar plates positioned between the laps and havin openings therein for loloclrs to he lappe, means for reciprocating two of the plates oppos tely along a common center line, and means for reciprocating the other two plates oppositely along another common center line intersecting the first, the last said means moving the corres ending plates outward while the first sai means is moving the othgr lates inward and vice versa.

l hination, two opposed laps having flat working surfaces, one lap heing adapted to freely adyust itself with respect to the other lap as concerns parallelism, four similar plates positioned hetween the laps and having openings therein for hloclrs to he lapped, means for reciprocating two of the plates oppositely along a common center line, means for reciprocating the other two plates oppositely along another coon center line intersecting the fimt, and means for turning the laps ahout an axis midway hetween V the plates. 7

18. A lappingmachine including in comhination, two opposed horizontal ape hav- 7 ing tlat workin surfaces, the u per lap hein freely more le vertically an adapted to adyust itsel'l with respect to the other, four similar plates positioned hetween the laps and having openings-therein for blocks to he lapped, the said plates heing syetrically located with respect to the upper lap I so that the weightot the latter will he 7 roe lapping machine including in com- 7 llld Q U memos equally divided among the groups of blocks symmetrically disposed with respect to the engaged by the respective plates, means for upper lap whereby the weight of the said reciprocating two of the plates oppositely lap remalns equally divided among the I along a common center line and means for groups of blocks as aforesaid.

reciprocating the other two plates oppositely" In testimony whereof, I hereto aflix my alonganother common center line intersectsignature, ing the first, the two said reciprocating s c means serving to maintain the said plates WILLIAM E. HOKE. 

